Skoda Brand Director Reveals Price Range, Sales Target Of Kylaq Sub-4 Meter Compact SUV
Skoda Auto has officially announced the name of its forthcoming sub-compact SUV, set to be launched early next year. The new model, named Kylaq, will be based on the same platform as the Kushaq, which competes with the Creta and Seltos. Skoda Kylaq is designed to penetrate the highly competitive sub-compact SUV segment, competing with the likes of Maruti Brezza, Tata Nexon, Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, and Mahindra XUV300.
The Kylaq will be Skoda’s third vehicle produced under the India 2.0 program. Given the increasing demand for sub-compact SUVs in the country, Skoda aims to capture a significant market share with this new product. Petr Janeba, Brand Director at Skoda Auto India, has revealed ambitious sales goals, targeting 100,000 units in its first year. He emphasized that Skoda will be attentive to the price-sensitive nature of the segment. The Kylaq is expected to be priced between 8 and 12 lakhs.
In an interview with Exchange4Media, Janeba almost confirmed competitive pricing for the upcoming SUV. “Our focus is on the sub-four-metre segment, which holds the highest sales potential, making it essential for Škoda to capture significant market share. The all-new SUV represents our boldest effort to penetrate this segment with a locally developed and named car. Kylaq’s price range will be at par with other SUVs made by Indian carmakers,”- he stated.
The price of sub-4m SUVs in India now begins from 6 lakh (ex-showroom), with models such as the Punch and Exter taking the lead. The prices of the Brezza and Nexon start at around 7.50 lakh (ex-showroom).
Why Is Kylaq Important For Škoda?
Kylaq is a pivotal product for Škoda in India for several reasons. Firstly, it will enable the company to optimize the utilization of its factory capacity. Secondly, it is anticipated to be a significant volume driver for the brand, with the potential to double Škoda’s India sales. The sales targets disclosed by Janeba further underline this. Lastly, this SUV will capitalize on India’s reputation as a low-cost, high-quality manufacturing hub for exports, thereby contributing to expanding Škoda’s global presence. One out of 10 units made here, will be exported.
Given the intense competition in the sub-4 meter SUV segment, Škoda will need to implement substantial improvements in the Kylaq to distinguish itself from established players and deliver ample value to the end customer. The success of this SUV could thus influence Škoda’s future trajectory in the Indian market.
Story Behind The Name:
The name ‘Kylaq‘ is derived from the Sanskrit word for crystal, symbolizing the vehicle’s pristine qualities and drawing inspiration from the sacred Mount Kailash. Skoda had conducted a contest for naming this SUV, where people could nominate various names that ‘started with K and ended with Q’. The most popular nomination would be used for the upcoming SUV. The winner would get the SUV as a prize, along with various other gifts. Entries flowed in and finally, Mohammed Ziyad, a Quran teacher from Kerala was chosen as the winner for his entry ‘Kylaq’.
Skoda Kylaq: What We Know About It
The heavily localized Kylaq will be manufactured at the Škoda-Volkswagen facility in Chakan, near Pune. It is expected to be powered by the Kushaq’s 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder TSI turbocharged petrol engine. This engine is shared with the Volkswagen Taigun and Virtus as well. However, in the Kylaq, this powerplant is expected to produce 120 PS and 170 Nm and will likely be available with both 6-speed manual and 6-speed torque converter automatic transmissions. The SUV will have a monocoque chassis and front-wheel-drive (FWD) layout.
Traditional Škoda attributes—such as robust build quality, well-balanced ride and handling, feature-rich interiors, and strong engine performance—are expected to be kept safe in the Kylaq. There are also speculations that the SUV may have an electric variant in the future. Indeed, the European version of the Kylaq, named Epiq, is an electric crossover, which is expected to be officially unveiled later this year.
Volkswagen Could Also Be Working On A Brezza Rival!
Rumour also has it that Volkswagen could its own iteration of the Kylaq, sometime in the coming years. The manufacturer, however, has been tight-lipped about such plans. However, it would still make sense to expect a VW version of Kylaq, considering how Slavia and Kushaq had corresponding VW forms. Plus, Volkswagen is reportedly eyeing the Brezza segment due to the booming traction in it.